Please recommend amps for bass!

[pyonc]

Hi,

I need your advice on the selection of a nice power amp for bass.
Currently I enjoy 4343 in a biamp mode. For bass, I use Adcom 555, and prior to that,
used Crown DC300A-II. Comparing the two, I want to give a higher mark to Crown.
I'd like to upgrade this amp for bass sooner or later.
Could you recommend any nice power amp, modern or vintage, for the bass?
Thank you for your guidance in advance.

[jerry_rig]

I'm sure others have different views, but I have found that large (>200 wpc) solid state, class A amplifiers deliver the best bass reach and slam. For me, that means Krell, Pass Labs, Threshold or similar designs. There are many great values in the used marketplace, so if cost is a factor, check out Audiogon. Shipping may be a factor because of the weight of these things.

[pyonc]

I'm sure others have different views, but I have found that large (>200 wpc) solid state, class A amplifiers deliver the best bass reach and slam. For me, that means Krell, Pass Labs, Threshold or similar designs. There are many great values in the used marketplace, so if cost is a factor, check out Audiogon. Shipping may be a factor because of the weight of these things.

Thanks, Jerry. Do you have any specific model of this brand in mind? Why class A?

[1audiohack]

Convection or fan cooled?

[jerry_rig]

Why class A?

I won't list a model because there are too many that would do the job for you. The big class A designs have VERY large power supplies and can deliver high current levels that do a superb job of controlling speakers. The downside is that they tend to draw a lot of power and can put out heat. That said, there are many very good class A/B designs -- including the large McIntosh amps -- that can sound terrific in bass duty.

[BMWCCA]

I know what I'd do, if the money was there . . .

[pyonc]

Convection or fan cooled?

How about recommending for either one? Thanks.

[pyonc]

I know what I'd do, if the money was there . . .

Thanks. I see one on ebay at the moment. Huge power! (475w 8ohm)...

[jerry_rig]

Thanks. I see one on ebay at the moment. Huge power! (475w 8ohm)...

Don't be fooled by power ratings alone. There is much else at work that affects the sound you get. No offense, but I have owned several Crown amps. They're fine for pro audio, but not what I'd want in my living room. (Yikes! I'm about to lose my forum friends.)

[jbl_daddy]

I biamp my 4340's with a pair of k1's , seems to do thé trick. The DC300's sound better.

[richluvsound]

I know what I'd do, if the money was there . . .

K1 or K2.... Perfect for the low end .... I wouldn't waste class A on woofer duty !

[withTarragon]

Hi,

I need your advice on the selection of a nice power amp for bass.
Currently I enjoy 4343 in a biamp mode. For bass, I use Adcom 555, and prior to that,
used Crown DC300A-II. Comparing the two, I want to give a higher mark to Crown.
I'd like to upgrade this amp for bass sooner or later.
Could you recommend any nice power amp, modern or vintage, for the bass?
Thank you for your guidance in advance.

I am actually a big fan of the Adcom 555's for bass duty and certainly prefer them to the Crown. I'll guess that your Adcom is probably at least 20 years old. I am not sure of your DIY skills, but you might want to consider re-freshing the electrolytic caps on the amp. If it is a later series 2, there are bypass caps on the PS caps, if not then you can add these bypass caps (this is a whooping 2 dollar expenditure). This will rejuvinate things and give a very solid and clean bass.

Good luck

[BMWCCA]

(Yikes! I'm about to lose my forum friends.)

Never, man! This is how I learn around here.

If I had the money I'd try the K-Crowns. If I had the money I might try them and not like them. If I had the money I'd try something else to compare, too. But, since I don't (have the money), I'm just gonna have to be (very) happy with the DC300A-IIs and PS400s I've used for the bottom of my 4345s. I find nothing wrong with how they handle the 2245s so I'll just live in blissful ignorance for several more years.

[pyonc]

I biamp my 4340's with a pair of k1's , seems to do thé trick. The DC300's sound better.

Are you saying DC300's sound better than K1? K1 is more advanced and has more power, right? If that's the case, I think I should go back to DC300A...

[pyonc]

I am actually a big fan of the Adcom 555's for bass duty and certainly prefer them to the Crown. I'll guess that your Adcom is probably at least 20 years old. I am not sure of your DIY skills, but you might want to consider re-freshing the electrolytic caps on the amp. If it is a later series 2, there are bypass caps on the PS caps, if not then you can add these bypass caps (this is a whooping 2 dollar expenditure). This will rejuvinate things and give a very solid and clean bass.

Good luck

Thanks for your comment, but I don't have DIY skill at all. The adcom I use is an early version. The thing is Crown DC300's have two input channels on the front, so you can control the bass with them, even though you can adjust the volume with the preamp. I love that. You can't do this with the Adcom, though.